JACKSON Neck Through

mod13

mod13

New member
I just picked up a Jackson Neck Through Soloist body style, at a pawn shop. The serial number indicated it is an '86, and it is pretty beat up.

It is missing one of the Kahler fine tuning knobs, rusty pickups, lots of paint chips in the ugly '80's green paint job, and FILTHY. It had 3 strings on it, I plugged it in at the pawn shop and all I got was this incredible buzz. I got the guy down to $300 cash (w case).

I took it home, re-soldered the ground back on to the pot, cleand it up and slapped some new strings on it and WOW!!! INCREDIBLE!!! The neck single coil doesn't work (probably the mini switch, it has 3 indivual switches instead of a 5 way), but other than that the rusty humbucker in the bridge it awsome, and the middle single is sweet.

What I am wondering is if this beast is a "vintage" guitar, or is can I, with good conscience, strip the paint off, get some new PUP's, laminate flame maple top...basically a total face lift.
 
Re: JACKSON Neck Through

For the price you got it at, I would just clean it up and drop in the pups you want. If you want something "collectible", keep you eyes and wallet out for something that is in nicer shape and appeals to you. Its nice to have a high quality working man's guitar in your hands.
 
Re: JACKSON Neck Through

mod13 said:
....
What I am wondering is if this beast is a "vintage" guitar, or is can I, with good conscience, strip the paint off, get some new PUP's, laminate flame maple top...basically a total face lift.
Click to expand...


If it´s really an ´86 SD Soloist (Which the Kahler and 3 mini switches would definitely be typical of), it already belongs to the creed of guitars that have appreciated back up past their original sale price in good condition or properly restored. If it´s a soloist Student (rw board, Dots, no binding), it´s not worth all that much yet, but a soloist custom is worth near or just over 2k, depending on exact condition and features. Customs were Typically Ebony /Mop Sharkfins /Binding, but back then "custom" still truly meant anything you desired was possible, so other combos were also very much possible, such as "maple board /MOP ´Fins /no binding /HSH /5-way /Factory Floyd/ Black-Red Blood Drip graphic/ EMGs" for example.

On the other hand, if it´s already beat to hell (though I do mean thoroughly thrashed), then refinishing it and /or adding a maple veneer won´t really hurt much that hasn´t been destroyed already.

New PUs are pretty much a non issue as long as you hang on to the originals (and a possibly installed active electronics board) for when you resell it, though the Jackson PUs generally aren´t as sought after by the mainstream as say Duncans or EMGs.

Also, you only paid 300$ for it, so there´s not too much you can do to lower resale value any further anyway.

It essentially boils down to: How much of you bought it as a player and how much of you bought it as an investment? If your inner Stockbroker bought it, lock the guitar in the case and lock the attic for a few more years. But if your inner Metalhead bought it with the intention of playing the hell out of it..... the gloves are now off in your battle with your conscience :D
 
Last edited:
Re: JACKSON Neck Through

It has the Ebony fret board, BEAUTIFUL MOP fins, nice jumbo frets (although they do have a fair bit of wear) binding up the sides of the neck and around the headstock. the serial number (J24..) on the last fret means its an 86 according to the Jackson sight.

As for the wood, is it Alder? But it is structurally awsome, no major dens or dings. The finish, which looks like some kind of green with black, and other color flecks to make it look like granite or something, is chipped, cracked...ect all over. I am not even sure if it is original...I'll try and get some photo's on here.
 
Re: JACKSON Neck Through

Maaan if I had one, I'd bring it to the tech, have the frets levelled if needed. Otherwise I'd just trace the parts and play the hell out of it. It looks awesome :32:
 
Re: JACKSON Neck Through

Nice. Even with all the chips and stuff everywhere, I'd leave the finish alone. Get everything else working right though, and a fret job. That thing has mojo. Good score.
 
Re: JACKSON Neck Through

ErikH said:
Nice. Even with all the chips and stuff everywhere, I'd leave the finish alone. Get everything else working right though, and a fret job. That thing has mojo. Good score.
Click to expand...
I'm with Erik on this one, I would fix the pickups and the bridge but i would leave the finish alone. $300 is a great score!!
 
Re: JACKSON Neck Through

Tha brings me to my next question...Duncan Distortion with a couple of Quarter Pound singles???

The Quater Pounders are pretty much a lock (I have a couple here right now).

The Bridge PUP is the question...Does anyone know what the Jacksons came with, because although it is rusted rigth out the thing sounds pretty good!
 
Re: JACKSON Neck Through

A Distortion would be veeeery bright in this. You may like it, or need to try it with a 250K pot. Maybe a Custom?
 
Re: JACKSON Neck Through

Pierre said:
A Distortion would be veeeery bright in this. You may like it, or need to try it with a 250K pot. Maybe a Custom?
Click to expand...

I am DEFINITLY NOT a bright kind of guy (in more ways than one haha). I like the mellow FAT sound...but this is an 80's beast...is it leagal to put a '59 or vintage output pup in the bridge, or will the Metal Cops come and get me???
 
Re: JACKSON Neck Through

It's a little irrelevant... This is a maple neck through guitars, with ebony fingerboard, alder wings, and a Floyd. You'll have a hard time getting a jazz tone out of it. You're stuck with something pretty bright.

Hence the tone pot :D
 
Re: JACKSON Neck Through

even has the san dimas route..


for three bills?


dude, you got the steal of the century!
play the fugger!!!!!
 
Re: JACKSON Neck Through

does the binding go over the fret ends?
Duncan Jb was the usual in these early soloists.
Great score!
I'd leave the paint as is get her cleaned up and play the crap out of her!!
 
Re: JACKSON Neck Through

Just went and looked...yeah the binding does go up and over the fret ends...whats that all about????
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top